Vesta

In Roman mythology, Vesta was the virgin goddess of the hearth. Worshiped
in every Roman household, Vesta served as a symbol of home and family as
well as the guardian of the sacred fire in her temples. As keeper of this
flame—a source of life and
immortality—
the goddess played a prominent role in Roman culture.

Vesta was an important figure in Greek mythology as well. Known as Hestia,
she was the daughter of the
Titans
Cronus* and Rhea and the sister of the gods Zeus*, Poseidon*, Hades*,
Demeter*, and Hera*. The Greeks kept her sacred fire burning in their
capital cities and took it with them when they founded new colonies.

immortality
ability to live forever

Titan
one of a family of giants who ruled the earth until overthrown by the
Greek gods of Olympus

The Romans believed that their legendary ancestor Aeneas* had brought the
sacred fire to Italy from Troy*. They thought that if Vesta's fire went
out, Rome would experience a great disaster. Virgin priestesses known as
the Vestals kept the fire burning constantly in the Temple of Vesta in
Rome. Vestals who lost their virginity, and thus dishonored the goddess,
were buried alive. Each year on March 1, Vesta's fire was renewed during a
ceremony, and on June 9, the Romans held a festival in her honor called
the Vestalia.